Literacy Kansas City will launch a Career Online High School to help its higher-level readers earn a high school diploma. reStart, Inc., is working to permanently house and provide short-term financial assistance and supportive services to low-income veteran families in Wyandotte and Jackson counties.

Top photo, pictured left to right giving and receiving the BIG checks are: Mike Hagedorn (President and CEO of UMB Bank), Mariner Kemper (chairman and CEO of UMB Financial Corporation and UMB Bank), Evelyn Craig (President and CEO, reStart, Inc.), Kevin Jamison (Outreach Specialist for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program) and Peter deSilva (President and COO of UMBFC)

Be sure to post your own UMB Big Bash photos to the Facebook page‡ and tag yourself in our photos of YOU!

Thanks for another great year!

When you click links marked with the “‡” symbol, you will leave UMB’s website and go to websites that are not controlled by or affiliated with UMB. We have provided these links for your convenience. However, we do not endorse or guarantee any products or services you may view on other sites. Other websites may not follow the same privacy policies and security procedures that UMB does, so please review their policies and procedures carefully.

Mr. Kemper is the chairman and chief executive officer of UMB Financial Corporation and UMB Bank, n.a. He joined UMB in 1997. Mr. Kemper is active in both civic and philanthropic endeavors. One of the causes he is most passionate about is the arts. He currently serves as a trustee and executive committee member for the Denver Art Museum and is a past board member for The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City.

UMB Big Bash®beneficiaries are changing people’s lives

Literacy Kansas City helped Peggy land her dream job

“I read my first book when I was 51.”

Peggy Shannon dreamed of being a TSA agent but when she applied for the job, she failed the first test because she couldn’t read and didn’t know how to use a computer. Before connecting with Literacy Kansas City‡, she read at a third-grade level. Her limited reading abilities severely limited her career options.

“I’ve been married twice and I never told either one of them I couldn’t read. I’ve hid it well. Because I couldn’t read, I just did my job that much better … always giving it 110 percent, always.”

She worked 12-hour shifts, six days a week in a hot factory. But she wanted to work with people and hoped to one day work at Kansas City International Airport.

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Shannon still gives 110 percent, but now at a job she loves. After months of lessons and computer classes at Literacy Kansas City, Shannon decided she was ready to try again. This time, she passed and after being on the job with Akal Security, Inc., a TSA contractor, for just six months, she was promoted to a lead.

“I wanted it really bad. I love the job because I like interacting with people. I have to make sure that when the passengers are coming through and when we’re really busy that everything moves smoothly and I have enough people on the line.”

Reading has impacted more than Shannon’s career; it’s improved her health and wellbeing. Shannon lost 40 pounds after reading a diet book.

“I’ve never read the backs of packages. It’s helped me so much. I’m a lot healthier than I’ve ever been.”

Shannon says her outlook on life has changed since she learned to read.

“Life is amazing. I wake up every day just thrilled to be alive and thank the Lord everyday that I can read and that I can go out and do the job that I love.”

“I’m hoping I can be a part of changing things. If there is anything at all I can do, I’m more than happy to do it the way this program has helped me.”

Donald McCombs, an Army veteran, was homeless for two years. He and his significant other had to move three times because their landlords were not in compliance, one was even under foreclosure. They were forced to put their belongings in storage, and then lost everything. The couple was living in motels, and struggling to make ends meet.

“Towards the end of the month we had to get out and hustle … cutting yards to make money to pay for the rest of the month. There were times I was sleeping behind a gas station, or in the woods.”

One day, while she was at a food pantry, McComb’s girlfriend saw a brochure for reStart, Inc.’s‡ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. Within two weeks, they were in stable housing.

“It is remarkable the way it [reStart, Inc.] helps people and the way it’s helped me. Being homeless for two years and losing everything I had. And now, [I have] 100 percent less worries.”The couple now lives in an apartment, a large house that’s been converted into a four-plex. All of the tenants are veterans.

“I want to thank everyone that gives to this program. You all have helped make this happen. If it wasn’t for supporters like you … we wouldn’t have nothing. I’d probably still be homeless.”

Help Literacy Kansas City and reStart, Inc., continue to make meaningful impacts on the lives of people living in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Join us‡ on Monday, June 22 for UMB Big Bash, when both of these local nonprofits will be awarded a $50,000 grant before Grammy® Award Winner Rob Thomas with special guest, Plain White T’s take the stage at Sprint Center.

When you click links marked with the “‡” symbol, you will leave UMB’s website and go to websites that are not controlled by or affiliated with UMB. We have provided these links for your convenience. However, we do not endorse or guarantee any products or services you may view on other sites. Other websites may not follow the same privacy policies and security procedures that UMB does, so please review their policies and procedures carefully.

Mr. Hagedorn is president and chief executive officer of UMB Bank and vice chairman of UMB Financial Corporation. Prior to this role, Hagedorn served as chief financial officer and chief administrative officer of UMB Financial Corporation. He joined UMB in March 2005.

UMB Big Bash® Beneficiaries

This year’s UMB Big Bash‡ beneficiaries, Literacy Kansas City‡ and reStart, Inc.‡, will each use their $50,000 grants to fund programs that will make a difference to people living right here in the Kansas City metro. Literacy Kansas City will launch a Career Online High School to help its higher-level readers earn a high school diploma. reStart, Inc., is working to permanently house and provide short-term financial assistance and supportive services to low-income veteran families in Wyandotte and Jackson counties.

Hear from leaders and clients from each organization to learn more about how the 2015 UMB Big Bash beneficiaries are strengthening our community.

Want to make an impact in the Kansas City community? Get your tickets here‡ to see Rob Thomas and Plain White T’s at Sprint Center June 22.

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When you click links marked with the “‡” symbol, you will leave UMB’s website and go to websites that are not controlled by or affiliated with UMB. We have provided these links for your convenience. However, we do not endorse or guarantee any products or services you may view on other sites. Other websites may not follow the same privacy policies and security procedures that UMB does, so please review their policies and procedures carefully.

Mr. deSilva is president and chief operating officer of UMB Financial Corporation. He is also vice chairman of UMB Bank, n.a. Mr. deSilva joined UMB in January 2004. He is primarily responsible for UMB's fee-producing business units and product lines, including Scout Investments; UMB Fund Services, UMB Healthcare Services Payment Solutions, Prairie Capital Management. Additionally, he is responsible for all corporate operations, technology, properties, security and marketing.

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I was charged this week by Roshann Parris to accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge‡. As you’ll hear me say in the below video, this terrible disease has touched our family as it has countless others.

We all have an obligation to give back to our community. We’re passionate about thinking outside ourselves. Last year, we volunteered more than 1,200 associate workdays, donated more than $1 million and held more than 150 sponsored volunteerism events.

We were already a supporter of the Midwest Chapter of the ALS Association‡ through our annual United Way campaign. Mariner, Mike and I were honored to join thousands of other participants to bring ALS even more to the forefront of people’s minds and make personal donations to the cause.

As tempting as it was to go the donation-only route, who doesn’t want to see their CEO, President & COO doused with water, too?

Check out the special, extended version of the video…

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When you click links marked with the “‡” symbol, you will leave UMB’s website and go to websites that are not controlled by or affiliated with UMB. We have provided these links for your convenience. However, we do not endorse or guarantee any products or services you may view on other sites. Other websites may not follow the same privacy policies and security procedures that UMB does, so please review their policies and procedures carefully.

Mr. deSilva is president and chief operating officer of UMB Financial Corporation. He is also vice chairman of UMB Bank, n.a. Mr. deSilva joined UMB in January 2004. He is primarily responsible for UMB's fee-producing business units and product lines, including Scout Investments; UMB Fund Services, UMB Healthcare Services Payment Solutions, Prairie Capital Management. Additionally, he is responsible for all corporate operations, technology, properties, security and marketing.

UMB Big Bash® Beneficiary – CASA of Kansas City

The countdown has begun…we are only 9 days away from the event of the year – UMB Big Bash‡! We want to share with you the reason why we put on such a BIG benefit concert each year. UMB Big Bash is proud to raise money for local organizations that make a positive difference in the community. Last year, UMB Big Bash raised $100,000 for two outstanding organizations. This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City‡ (BBBSKC) and CASA of Kansas City‡ have been chosen. Learn more about CASA below. We’ll tell you all about BBBSKC in our next post!

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Kansas City empowers abused and neglected children by promoting court-appointed volunteer advocacy. CASA’s vision is to ensure every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive in a home environment.

CASA recruits, trains and supports community citizens to serve as friends and certified advocates to children from birth to age 21. Children and youth assigned to CASA have come under the court’s protection due to abuse or neglect. Therefore, their enrollment in the program is directed by Family Court Judges in Jackson, Johnson and Wyandotte Counties. Most of these children live in temporary foster homes, with relatives or in treatment facilities.

CASA volunteers watch over and speak up for a child’s best interests in court. They maintain regular contact with the child and gather information from family members, foster homes, teachers, physicians, social workers and others with knowledge of the child. Critical information is then provided to the judge so the best possible decisions can be made regarding where that child should live and what medical, educational and therapeutic services they need.

CASA volunteers help to ensure children and youth do not languish in foster care, but instead are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Volunteers stay with each child or sibling group until permanency is achieved. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one consistent adult presence in their lives.

When you click links marked with the “‡” symbol, you will leave UMB’s website and go to websites that are not controlled by or affiliated with UMB. We have provided these links for your convenience. However, we do not endorse or guarantee any products or services you may view on other sites. Other websites may not follow the same privacy policies and security procedures that UMB does, so please review their policies and procedures carefully.

Mr. deSilva is president and chief operating officer of UMB Financial Corporation. He is also vice chairman of UMB Bank, n.a. Mr. deSilva joined UMB in January 2004. He is primarily responsible for UMB's fee-producing business units and product lines, including Scout Investments; UMB Fund Services, UMB Healthcare Services Payment Solutions, Prairie Capital Management. Additionally, he is responsible for all corporate operations, technology, properties, security and marketing.

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